Prenatal screening and testing for Down syndrome: A pilot study of healthcare professionals' current knowledge and practice
The number and complexity of prenatal options for screening and testing increases at a relatively rapid pace and women may have discussions about these options with one or more of a number of different healthcare professionals. Prenatal screening and testing must be completed within prescribed gestational ranges, and women sometimes present for antenatal care when it is already too late for some options. Additionally, midwives, obstetricians and GPs who participate in shared-care programs often lack the time or opportunities to engage in formal continuing education to maintain confidence in this rapidly evolving field. There are often no established protocols that identify which healthcare professionals are primarily responsible for such prenatal counselling. Some of the concepts to be conveyed require very effective and accommodating communication skills which makes prenatal counselling even more time-consuming.
For these reasons we conducted a pilot survey of around 150 healthcare professionals associated with the Mater Mothers Hospital (providing public and private healthcare) to ascertain current knowledge and practice of counselling about prenatal screening and testing for Down syndrome. Questions about screening expectations and counselling preferences have been included. The results will be presented, including the participants' preferred mode of delivery for specific supporting educational materials and preference with respect to clinical protocols for effective antenatal service delivery.